A multi-million euro business and recreational centre is planned for Carlow.
Up to €4 million is being invested by the local council in a 35-acre site at Paupish in the town centre. The land will be used for industrial and commercial developments, as well as riverside amenities, housing and sports pitches, in an effort to improve public spaces and shopping facilities in the area.
Work on the scheme has begun and it is hoped it will be completed within two years.
A total of 5.5 acres - priced at €734,000 - is to be sold to the local authority for housing, while seven acres is also to be sold to the town's Éire Óg GAA club for €945,000.
Carlow Town Council will use the remainder of the site to develop and promote industrial and commercial enterprises in the area.
The town clerk, Mr Joe Watters, said the land would be rezoned and marketed to encourage private developers who want to start up businesses, such as convenience stores and pharmacies.
The council will also work with private developers to provide riverside amenities, such as walks and a wildlife sanctuary, on four acres of land close to the River Burrin.
Carlow's population grew by 1,467 (12.5 per cent) between 1996 and this year, according to Census 2002.